WO2015059917A1

WO2015059917A1 - Multi-layer network control method and device

Info

Publication number: WO2015059917A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/005319
Authority: WO
Inventors: 洋平飯澤
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2013-10-21
Filing date: 2014-10-20
Publication date: 2015-04-30
Also published as: JPWO2015059917A1; US20160241469A1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a multi-layer network control method and device whereby it is possible to add a lower-order layer path in accordance with a path which is requested in a higher-order layer. [Solution] With respect to controlling a multi-layer network formed from networks of a plurality of layers, virtual links (L901-L903) are generated in a higher-order layer network on the basis of topology information of a lower-order network. If at least one virtual link is included in a given path (F701) in the higher-order layer network, lower-order layer paths (L601, L602) corresponding to the virtual link are set in the lower-order layer network.

Description

Multilayer network control method and apparatus

The present invention relates to a multilayer network control technology.

In recent years, in a carrier network, a multi-layer structure composed of a plurality of layers has attracted attention. For example, a network combining a packet layer that can efficiently use network resources due to the statistical multiplexing effect and an optical layer suitable for long-distance / high-capacity transmission is conceivable. Examples of the packet layer technique include MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) and MPLS-TP (Multi-Protocol Label Switching-Transport Profile). The optical layer is generally a circuit-switched network, and a typical technology is OTN (Optical Transport Network). OTN is further divided into a TDM layer (Time Division Division Multiplexing) layer, a WDM layer (Wavelength Division Division Multiplexing) layer, and the like depending on the path switching method. These networks are generally controlled independently for each layer.

In contrast, technologies that integrate control of multi-layer networks are attracting attention. The reason is that the operation cost can be reduced by automating the setting of the multi-layer network, and the equipment cost can be reduced by using resources more efficiently based on the information of multiple layers. Because it becomes. As an example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-layer path control technique based on intensive topology design in a packet and WDM two-layer network.

JP 2008-211151 A

However, in the above-described multi-layer network control integration technology, when a path route is searched for in the upper layer network, only the link in the section where the path has been set in the lower layer is considered. For example, in the above-described multi-layer network, paths and links have a nested configuration. That is, in a lower layer network, a path is set by using lower layer nodes, ports, and links as network resources. In the upper layer network, the path set in the lower layer is treated as a link between nodes, and the node and port information added to it becomes the upper layer network resource. Set.

For this reason, for example, even if a lower layer path is added to obtain an upper layer path route with a lower delay, only the link of the section in which the path has been set is used as a network resource that can be used by the upper layer. I do not get. Even with the multi-layer path control method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to set a higher-layer path in consideration of link addition to a section without a link.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multilayer network control method and apparatus capable of adding a lower layer route according to a route requested by an upper layer.

A multi-layer network control apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for controlling a multi-layer network composed of a network of a plurality of layers, and a virtual link generation means for generating a virtual link in an upper layer network based on topology information of a lower layer network Control means for setting, in the lower layer network, a lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link when at least one virtual link is included in the given route in the upper layer network. And
The multi-layer network control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling a multi-layer network composed of a plurality of layers of networks, wherein the virtual link generation means generates a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network. The control means sets a lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link in the lower layer network when the given route in the upper layer network includes at least one virtual link. And

According to the present invention, it is possible to set an advantageous route in the upper layer by adding the route in the lower layer according to the route requested in the upper layer.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multilayer control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the hierarchical control unit in the multilayer control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a multilayer network for explaining the operation of the multilayer control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation for creating user-oriented NWDB information in the multilayer control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of each network database information after creating the NWDB information for users shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the user network database after the creation of the user NWDB information illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the upper layer network database after the creation of the NWDB information for users shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the lower layer network database after the creation of the NWDB information for users shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of layer boundary information included in the hierarchical control unit in the multilayer control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow setting operation in the multilayer control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of each network database information after the flow setting shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the network database for the user after the flow setting illustrated in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the upper layer network database after the flow setting illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the lower layer network database after the flow setting illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multilayer control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of creating NWDB information for each user of the multilayer control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow setting operation in the multilayer control apparatus according to the second embodiment.

<Outline of Embodiment>
According to the embodiment of the present invention, a virtual link in the upper layer network is generated based on the topology information of the lower layer network, and the path is set in the lower layer network in the route requested in the upper layer network. If there is no section, the path setting for the section is executed. Thus, by executing path setting of the lower layer network in response to a request in the upper layer, it is possible to set a path that is more advantageous in the upper layer, for example, a path with lower delay. Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by simplifying “multilayer network control” as “multilayer control” and using the term “flow” synonymously with “path”.

1. First Embodiment In the first embodiment of the present invention, the configuration and operation of a multilayer control device that controls a multilayer network composed of two layers will be described in detail.

1.1) Configuration In FIG. 1, the multilayer control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment controls the lower layer network 31 and the upper layer network 32 in accordance with a flow request from the user request unit 20 by the user. The multi-layer control unit device 10 includes a user-oriented NWDB (network database) 101, an upper layer NWDB 102, a lower layer NWDB 103, and a hierarchy control unit 104. Furthermore, the multi-layer control unit apparatus 10 includes an upper layer control unit 105 and a lower layer control unit 106 that control the upper layer network 32 and the lower layer network 31 according to information changes in the upper layer NWDB 102 and the lower layer NWDB 103, respectively.

The NWDB 101 for users is accessed from the user request unit 20 and stores resource information available to the user. The upper layer NWDB 102 holds information about the upper layer network 32, and the lower layer NWDB 103 holds information about the lower layer network 31. Each network database holds network information including topology information including nodes, ports, and links and flow (path equivalent) information set therein.

As will be described later, the hierarchical control unit 104 performs control such as conversion to the user NWDB 101 and the upper layer NWDB 102 into a link, generation of a virtual link, and registration in the user NWDB 101 based on the flow information in the lower layer NWDB 103. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the hierarchical control unit 104 has a management unit 201 that performs overall control, access management of an external network database, etc., and accesses the external network database 101-103 and acquires or updates information. This is executed through the external database access unit 202. Further, the hierarchy control unit 104 includes a virtual network information creation unit 203 that creates virtual link information and virtual port information of the NWDB 101 for users, a layer boundary information management unit 204 that manages layer boundaries between upper layers and lower layers, and NWDB 101, DB information correspondence management unit 205 that manages the correspondence of information stored in the upper layer NWDB 102 and the lower layer NWDB 103, and route calculation that performs route calculation based on the topology information of the network database and management of the calculated route A management unit 206 is included.

The hierarchical control unit 104 can also realize an equivalent function by executing a program stored in a memory (not shown) of the multilayer control device 10 on a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Hereinafter, the operation of the multilayer control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the multilayer network illustrated in FIG. 3.

1.2) Configuration Example of Multi-Layer Network As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-layer network is assumed to be composed of a lower layer network 31, an upper layer network 32, and a layer boundary 40. Specifically, the upper layer network 32 includes nodes N11 to N13 and ports P301 to P310, and the lower layer network 31 includes nodes N21 to N23, ports P401 to P412, and links L601 to L603.

Further, the layer boundary 40 connects the boundary connection B501 connecting the ports P305 and P401, the boundary connection B502 connecting the ports P306 and P402, the boundary connection B503 connecting the ports P307 and P403, and the ports P308 and P404. It is assumed that the boundary connection B 504 connects the ports P 309 and P 405, and the boundary connection B 506 connects the ports P 310 and P 406.

The upper layer control unit 105 and the lower layer control unit 106 of the multi-layer control apparatus 10 acquire the information of the upper layer network 32 and the information of the lower layer network 31 in FIG. 3 from the respective networks, and the upper layer NWDB 102 and the lower layer It is assumed that information regarding nodes, ports, and links is registered in the NWDB 103, respectively. Further, it is assumed that the information on the layer boundary 40 is set in the hierarchy control unit 104 in advance.

Hereinafter, the creation operation and the flow setting operation of the NWDB 101 for the user of the multilayer control apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

1.3) Virtual Link Creation In FIG. 4, first, the management unit 201 of the hierarchy control unit 104 takes in topology information of the upper layer from the upper layer NWDB 102 through the external DB access unit 202 and copies it to the user NWDB 101 (operation S301). ). At this time, the port set at the layer boundary 40 is not copied.

Subsequently, the virtual NW information creation unit 203 of the hierarchy control unit 104 creates a virtual port for the node of the user NWDB 101 corresponding to the node having the port of the layer boundary 40 in the upper layer network 32 (operation S302). A sufficient number of virtual ports are created for the virtual link pattern to be created. For example, when full mesh connection is made between N nodes having layer boundaries, (N−1) virtual ports are created in each node.

Subsequently, the virtual NW information creation unit 203 checks the connectability of the link connecting the created virtual ports and creates a virtual link (operation S303). For example, when full mesh connection is made between nodes having layer boundaries, connection possibility confirmation is performed for all pairs of nodes to be connected, and virtual links are created. Specifically, the connection possibility confirmation means that a route calculation is performed between lower layer nodes using the route calculation / management unit 206, and if a route is found, it is determined that there is a connection possibility.

For example, in the connection possibility confirmation between the nodes N11 and N12 in FIG. 3, the route calculation between the lower layer nodes N21 and N22 at the layer boundary 40 is performed. In the example of FIG. 3, since there is a route passing through the link L601 between the nodes N21 and N22, it is determined that there is a possibility of connection. When there is a possibility of connection, the virtual NW information creation unit 203 creates a virtual link that connects one of the virtual ports of the node N11 and one of the virtual ports of the node N12 to the user NWDB 101.

At that time, the hierarchical control unit 104 holds the calculated route information and the link list between the nodes N21 and N22 (here, only the link L601) in association with the virtual link. If the route calculation fails, no virtual link is created. At this time, the virtual ports of the nodes at both ends may be deleted. By performing the above operation for all pairs of nodes having the layer boundary 40 in the NWDB 101 for users, a virtual link with a full mesh connection can be created.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 5, the hierarchical control unit 104 stores the information related to the upper layer nodes and the information related to the virtual links connectable between them in the NWDB 101 for users. Here, nodes N11 to N13, virtual ports P801 to P806 indicated by dotted circles at each node, and virtual links L901 to L903 indicated by dotted lines are stored in the NWDB 101 for users. FIG. 6 shows a specific data structure of the NWDB 101 for users in the multi-layer network of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the NWDB 101 for users, topology information such as node information 101A, port information 101B, and link information 101C is registered. Node information 101A indicates identification information of each node. “Assigned” in the port information 101B is information indicating whether or not the port is a virtual port. If TRUE, the port is not a virtual port but an actual port, and if FALSE, the port is a virtual port. “Established” in the link information 101C is information indicating whether the link is a virtual link. If TRUE, the link is a set link in which a flow is actually set in the lower layer network. If FALSE, the link is a virtual link. It shows that. Also, in the link delay (Delay), the total sum of the link delays on the route calculated by the hierarchical control unit 104 when each virtual link is created is registered as metric information. That is, the delay (Delay) represents a link delay that occurs when a link is created by setting a lower layer flow in the section.

7 and 8 show the upper layer NWDB 102 and the lower layer NWDB 103 when the user NWDB 101 is created, respectively. In the upper layer NWDB 102 shown in FIG. 7, there is no link because there is no flow in the lower layer network, and only node information 102A and port information 102B are registered. However, depending on the network configuration, a link connecting ports that are not layer boundaries may be registered. In this case, copy it to the NWDB for users including the link.

In the lower layer NWDB 103 shown in FIG. 8, topology information such as note information 103A, port information 103B, and link information 103C is registered. The delay information (Delay) of the link information 103C is a propagation delay based on the physical distance of the link, for example, and is registered by the lower layer control unit 106. Note that a flow is not registered in the lower layer NWDB 103, but a flow may be registered depending on the initial state of the network. In this case, a virtual link creation operation is performed after creating a set link corresponding to each flow.

FIG. 9 shows the data structure of the layer boundary 40 held by the layer boundary information management unit 204 of the hierarchy control unit 104.

Note that the node, port, link, and flow information in each network database is not limited to that described above. For example, the maximum bandwidth, the remaining bandwidth, and bandwidth information reserved for the flow may be added to each port, or cost information for route calculation may be added as metric information in addition to link delay. For example, if the network to be controlled is an optical layer network, available resource information and empty resource information may be added to the port. Resource information corresponds to a wavelength in the WDM layer and a time slot in the TDM layer.

1.4) Flow Setting Operation Next, the operation of the multilayer control apparatus 10 when a flow is added to the user NWDB 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the user request unit 20 refers to the topology information of the NWDB 101 for users illustrated in FIG. 6 and performs flow route calculation based on the request conditions of the flow to be set. Here, as a flow request condition, a flow between the port P301 of the node N11 and the port P304 of the node N13 (see FIG. 5) is requested with a minimum delay. As shown in FIG. 5, the flow path candidates from the node N11 to the node N13 include a first path (total delay 200 msec) passing through links L901 (delay 100 msec) and L902 (delay 100 msec), and a link L903 (delay 300 msec). ) Second route (total delay 300 msec). In this case, since the first route has a smaller delay, the user request unit 20 selects the first route (L901-L902). As an algorithm for calculating the path with the minimum delay, for example, a Dijkstra algorithm in which the delay is regarded as the cost of the link can be considered.

In FIG. 10, the user request unit 20 registers the flow F701 having the selected first route (L901-L902) in the NWDB 101 for the user (operation S401). A flow F701 in the NWDB 101 for users is schematically shown in FIG. At this time, the status of the flow information 101D in the user NWDB 101 shown in FIG.

When the flow F701 is registered from the user request unit 20 to the user-oriented NWDB 101, the hierarchy control unit 104 checks whether or not a virtual link is included in the route of the flow F701 (operation S402). In this example, the flow F701 includes two virtual links L901 and L902.

If a virtual link is included (operation S402; Yes), the hierarchical control unit 104 first registers a flow corresponding to one virtual link (here, L901) in the lower layer NWDB 103 (operation S403). Specifically, referring to FIG. 11, the route of the lower layer corresponding to the virtual link L901 is a route passing through the link L601 between the nodes N21 and N22, and is included in the layer boundary 40 as an end point of the flow It is assumed that the port P402 of N21 and the port P403 of the node N22 are selected. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, the hierarchy control unit 104 registers a flow F703 with the link L601 as a route and the ports P402 and P403 as endpoints, in the lower layer NWDB 103. However, at this time, the status of the flow F703 is set to “setting”.

When the flow F703 is registered in the lower layer NWDB 103, the lower layer control unit 106 actually sets a flow in each network device of the lower layer network 31 according to the registered information of the flow F703 (operation S404). When the flow setting is completed, the lower layer control unit 106 changes the status of the flow F703 in the lower layer NWDB 103 to “set” as illustrated in FIG.

When the flow setting by the lower layer control unit 106 is completed, the hierarchy control unit 104 changes the virtual link in the user NWDB 101 corresponding to the set flow F703 to “already set” (operation S405). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the Established (set) of the virtual link L901 is changed to “TRUE”. Also, the virtual ports P802 and P803 at the end points of the virtual link L901 are associated with the ports of the higher layer NWDB 102 together. Since the end point ports of the flow F703 of the lower layer NWDB 103 are the port P402 of the node N21 and the port P403 of the node N22, by referring to the layer boundary information shown in FIG. 9, the ports of the upper layer network 32 corresponding to these ports Are P306 and P307, respectively. Therefore, the DB information correspondence management unit 205 of the hierarchy control unit 104 sets the port P306 of the node N11 of the higher layer NWDB 102 to the virtual port P802 of the user NWDB 101, and sets the node N12 of the higher layer NWDB 102 to the virtual port P803 of the user NWDB 101. The ports P307 are associated with each other, and this port correspondence relationship is maintained. As shown in FIG. 12, the management unit of the hierarchy control unit 104 changes Assigned of the virtual ports P802 and P803 in the port information 101B of the user-oriented NWDB 103 to “TRUE”.

Subsequently, the hierarchy control unit 104 registers the link of the user-oriented NWDB 101 changed to the already set in the previous step as a link in the upper layer NWDB 102 (operation S406). Specifically, a link L001 corresponding to the link L901 of the user-oriented NWDB 101 is registered between the ports P306 and P307 of the upper layer NWDB 102 based on the correspondence between the DB information held previously. At this time, other link information such as delay is also copied. The DB information correspondence management unit 205 also holds the correspondence between the link L901 of the user-oriented NWDB 101 and the link L001 of the upper layer NWDB 102 as the correspondence between DB information.

When the link registration to the higher layer NWDB 102 is completed, the hierarchy control unit 104 rearranges the virtual links (operation S407). Specifically, among the nodes of the upper layer network 32, the nodes in which links are set for all the ports at the layer boundary by the link flow setting up to this point are excluded from the virtual port creation target nodes of the NWDB 101 for users. As a result, the virtual port and virtual link of the excluded node are also deleted from the NWDB 101 for users. On the contrary, if there is a node having no virtual port in the user NWDB 101 even though there is a port at the layer boundary where no link is set in the upper layer, a virtual port and a virtual link are added. For example, when a virtual link is created with a full mesh, a virtual port is added to all the virtual port creation target nodes including that node, and a virtual link is created by an operation similar to the operation S303 in FIG. If there is no virtual link through which the flow registered in the user-oriented NWDB 101 passes due to the virtual link rearrangement, the flow setting information is changed, so the status information of the flow is changed to setting failure. In this case, for example, the user request unit 20 uses the topology information of the NWDB 101 for users to reset the flow to another route.

The hierarchy control unit 104 performs the above operations S403 to S407 for all virtual links through which the flow is first registered in the NWDB 101 for the user (operation S408). As described above, the processing for the virtual link L901 out of the two virtual links L901 and L902 included in the flow F701 is completed, but the other virtual link L902 remains (Operation S408; No). Therefore, the above operations S403 to S407 are executed for the virtual link L902.

When path setting has been completed for all virtual links (operation S408; Yes), or when a virtual link is not included in the path of the flow F701 (operation S402; No), the hierarchy control unit 104 transfers to the user NWDB 101. The registered flow information is copied to the upper layer NWDB 102 (operation S409). In this example, the information of the flow F701 in the NWDB 101 for users is copied and registered as the flow F702 in the flow information 102D of the higher layer NWDB102, but the status of the flow F702 shown in FIG.

When the flow is registered in the upper layer NWDB 102, the upper layer control unit 105 actually sets the flow in each network device of the upper layer network 32 according to the registered information of the flow F702 (operation S410). When the setting is completed, the upper layer control unit 105 changes the status information of the flow F702 of the upper layer NWDB 102 to “set” as illustrated in FIG. Upon detecting this change, the hierarchy control unit 104 changes the status of the flow F701 in the user NWDB 101 to “set”, as shown in FIG. The user request unit 20 can know the completion of flow setting by changing the flow information of the NWDB 101 for users.

Through the above operation, the hierarchical control unit 104 sets a flow necessary for the lower layer network 31 and the upper layer network 32 as shown in FIG. As described above, the data structures of the user NWDB 101, the upper layer NWDB 102, and the lower layer NWDB 103 shown in FIG. 11 are illustrated in FIGS.

In the NWDB 101 for users shown in FIG. 12, flow information 101D is added in addition to the topology information (101A, 101B, 101C). In addition, the established information of the link that has been set is “TRUE”, and the assigned information of the port associated with the port of the upper layer network is “TRUE”. When a flow is added to the user-oriented NWDB 101 in this way, the multilayer control apparatus 10 performs necessary settings for each of the lower layer network 31 and the upper layer network 32.

In the upper layer NWDB 102 shown in FIG. 13, since the flow is set in the lower layer network 31, links L001 and L002 are added. In addition, information on the set flow is also added.

In the lower layer NWDB 103 shown in FIG. 14, flow information 103D is added in addition to the topology information (103A, 103B, 103C). The path is stored in the form of a list of links through which route information passes. In addition, information on the node and port at the input end point of the flow is held in Match, and information on the node and port at the output end point of the flow is held in Action.

1.5) Effect As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a virtual link is created in the NWDB 101 for users, and expected information such as a delay when a flow is set in a lower layer is entered. As a result, even if the flow is not set in the lower layer and there is no link in the higher layer, the user determines the route that matches the request of the flow to be set in consideration of link addition and sets the path. Can do. That is, path setting can be performed in consideration of link addition for a section without a link in the lower layer network 31.

2. Second Embodiment A multilayer control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention controls a three-layer network. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are sequentially set from the lower layer.

2.1) Configuration In FIG. 15, the multilayer control device 50 according to the present embodiment configures the first layer network 33, the second layer network 34, and the third layer network 35 in accordance with a flow request from the user request unit 20 by the user. Control. The multi-layer control apparatus 50 includes first and second

hierarchical control units

5101 and 5102, first and

second user NWDBs

5201 and 5202, first, second and third layer NWDBs 5301 to 5303, first, second and second. Three-layer control units 5401 to 5403 are provided.

The NWDB 5201 for the first user is the NWDB for the user of the first hierarchy control unit 5101 and the lower layer NWDB of the second hierarchy control unit 5102. The second user-oriented NWDB 5202 is a user-oriented NWDB of the second hierarchical control unit 5102.

The first layer NWDB 5301 is a lower layer NWDB of the first hierarchy control unit 5101 and holds the network information of the first layer network 33. The second layer NWDB 5302 is an upper layer NWDB of the first hierarchy control unit 5101 and holds network information of the second layer network 33. The third layer NWDB 5303 is an upper layer NWDB of the second layer control unit 5102 and holds network information of the third layer network 33.

First, second and third layer controllers 5401 to 5403 control first, second and third layer networks 33 to 35 according to respective information changes in first, second and third layer NWDBs 5301 to 5303, respectively. To do.

2.2) Creation of user-oriented NWDB As a premise, the first layer control unit 5401, the second layer control unit 5402, and the third layer control unit 5403 of the multi-layer control device 50 are the first, second, and third layer networks. It is assumed that the respective network information is acquired from 33 to 35, and node, port, and link information is registered in the first, second, and third layer NWDBs 5301 to 5303, respectively. Also, the layer boundary information between the first layer and the first layer and the layer boundary information between the second layer and the third layer are set in the first layer control unit 5101 and the second layer control unit 5102, respectively. To do.

In FIG. 16, the first hierarchy control unit 5101 creates information on the NWDB 5201 for the first user with the first layer NWDB 5301 as the lower layer NWDB and the second layer NWDB 5302 as the upper layer NWDB (operation S5501). The specific generation operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the second tier control unit 5102 creates information on the NWDB 5202 for the second user with the NWDB 5201 for the first user as the lower layer NWDB and the third layer NWDB 5303 as the upper layer NWDB (operation S5502). The specific generation operation is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. With the above operation, the information creation of the

NWDBs

5201 and 5202 for the first and second users is completed.

2.3) Flow Setting Operation Next, a multilayer control operation according to the second embodiment when a flow is added to the NWDB 5202 for the second user will be described with reference to FIG.

The user request unit 20 refers to the topology information of the NWDB 5202 for the second user, performs flow route calculation based on the request condition of the flow to be set, and registers the flow in the NWDB 5202 for the second user (operation S5601). ). The specific operation is the same as the operation S401 in FIG.

When a flow is registered in the NWDB 5202 for the second user from the user request unit 20, the second hierarchical control unit 5102 checks whether or not a virtual link is included in the registered flow path (operation S5602). When the virtual link is included (operation S5602; Yes), the second layer control unit 5102 registers the flow corresponding to the virtual link in the NWDB 5201 for the first user corresponding to the lower layer NWDB as viewed from itself (operation S5603). The specific operation is the same as the operation S401 in FIG.

When the flow is registered in the NWDB 5201 for the first user, the first hierarchy control unit 5101 checks whether or not a virtual link is included in the registered flow path (operation S5604). When the virtual link is included (operation S5604; Yes), the flow registration to the first layer NWDB 5301 by the first layer control unit 5101, the flow setting by the first layer control unit 5401, and the first user by the first layer control unit 5101 The link information change of the NWDB 5201 and the link information change of the second layer NWDB 5302 are executed (operation S5605). Specific operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are operations from S403 to S408 (Yes) in FIG.

After completion of operation S5605 or when a virtual link is not included (operation S5604; No), for the flow registered in the NWDB 5201 for the first user, the flow information copy to the second layer NWDB 5302 by the first hierarchy control unit 5101, Flow setting to the second layer network 34 is performed by the second layer control unit 5402 (operation S5606). Specific operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are operations S409 to S410 in FIG.

Since the flow setting of the NWDB 5201 for the first user, which is the lower layer NWDB of the second tier control unit 5102, has been completed by operation S 5606, the second tier control unit 5102 transfers the virtual link of the NWDB 5202 for the second user to the set link. Change and link information registration of the third layer NWDB 5303 are performed (operation S5607). Specific operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are operations S405 to S407 in FIG.

After completion of operation S5607, or when a virtual link is not included in the registered flow path (operation S5602; No), the second layer control unit 5102 registers the flow registered in operation S5601 in the third layer NWDB 5303. Then, the third layer control unit 5403 sets a flow to the third layer network 35 (operation S5608).

As described above, when a flow is added to the NWDB 5202 for the second user, the multilayer control device 50 performs necessary settings for the networks 33 to 35 of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer, respectively.

Here, an example of a multi-layer network composed of three layers has been shown, but similarly, the multi-layer control device includes [(number of layers) -1] hierarchical control units, so that three or more layers are included. A multilayer network can be controlled.

As described above, by combining two or more internal configurations of the multilayer control apparatus of the first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 15, it is possible to apply the control to a network of three or more layers.

3. Additional Notes Part or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as the following additional notes, but are not limited thereto.
(Appendix 1)
An apparatus for controlling a multi-layer network composed of a multi-layer network,
Virtual link generation means for generating a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network;
When at least one virtual link is included in a given route in the upper layer network, control means for setting a lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link in the lower layer network;
A multilayer network control apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 2)
The multi-layer network control apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the virtual link generation unit generates the virtual link by route calculation between nodes in the lower layer network.
(Appendix 3)
The multilayer network control apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the virtual link generation unit registers metric information for route calculation as additional information of the virtual link.
(Appendix 4)
The virtual link generation unit generates the virtual link so as to connect a plurality of nodes included in the upper layer network in a desired pattern. Multi-layer network control device.
(Appendix 5)
The multilayer network control device according to any one of appendix 1-4, wherein the given route is selected by a user request unit based on a virtual link generated by the virtual link generation unit. .
(Appendix 6)
A method for controlling a multi-layer network consisting of a multi-layer network,
The virtual link generation means generates a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network,
When the control unit includes at least one virtual link in the given route in the upper layer network, the lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link is set in the lower layer network.
A multilayer network control method characterized by the above.
(Appendix 7)
The multi-layer network control method according to appendix 6, wherein the virtual link generation unit generates the virtual link by calculating a path between nodes in the lower layer network.
(Appendix 8)
The multilayer network control method according to appendix 7, wherein the virtual link generation unit registers metric information for the route calculation as additional information of the virtual link.
(Appendix 9)
The virtual link generation means generates the virtual link so as to connect a plurality of nodes included in the upper layer network in a desired pattern, according to any one of appendix 6-8, Multi-layer network control method.
(Appendix 10)
The multilayer network control method according to any one of appendix 6-9, wherein the given route is selected by a user request unit based on a virtual link generated by the virtual link generation unit. .
(Appendix 11)
A program for causing a computer to function as a device for controlling a multi-layer network composed of a multi-layer network,
A virtual link generation function for generating a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network;
When at least one virtual link is included in a given route in the upper layer network, a control function for setting a lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link in the lower layer network;
Is implemented on the computer.
(Appendix 12)
The program according to appendix 11, wherein the virtual link generation function generates the virtual link by route calculation between nodes in the lower layer network.
(Appendix 13)
The program according to appendix 12, wherein the virtual link generation function registers metric information for the route calculation as additional information of the virtual link.
(Appendix 14)
14. The virtual link generation function generates the virtual link so as to connect a plurality of nodes included in the upper layer network in a desired pattern, according to any one of appendix 11-13, program.
(Appendix 15)
15. The program according to any one of appendices 11-14, wherein the given route is selected by a user request unit based on a virtual link generated by the virtual link generation unit.
(Appendix 16)
A multi-layer control apparatus for controlling a multi-layer network in which a flow set in a first layer network is used as a link of a second layer network,
A network database for users that stores resource information available to users;
A first layer network database holding network information of the first layer;
A second layer network database for holding second layer network information;
Access to the user network database, the first layer network database, and the second layer network database, and link the flow information in the second layer network database to the user network database and the second layer network database. A hierarchical control means for creating a virtual link in the user-oriented network corresponding to a flow that is not registered in the first layer network database based on the topology information of the first layer network database;
First layer control means for changing the setting of each node of the first layer network based on the flow information change to the first layer network database;
Second layer control means for changing the setting of each node of the second layer network based on the flow information change to the second layer network database;
A multilayer control apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 17)
The multilayer control device according to attachment 16, wherein
The hierarchical control means, when creating the virtual link in the user-oriented network, calculates a route between nodes using the information of the first layer network database, and if successful, registers as a virtual link. Multi-layer control device.
(Appendix 18)
The multi-layer control apparatus according to appendix 17,
The hierarchical control unit is configured to calculate a route for the user network based on the route information calculated using the information in the first layer network database when creating the virtual link in the user network. A multilayer control apparatus, wherein metric information is registered as additional information of the virtual link.
(Appendix 19)
A multi-layer control method for controlling a multi-layer network in which a flow set in a first layer network is used as a link of a second layer network,
When creating topology information of a user-accessible network information database, virtual link information corresponding to flow information not set in the first layer network is created and added to the user-oriented network information database. Steps,
When the flow information of the network information database for users is added, determining whether the added flow passes through a virtual link;
Setting a flow corresponding to a virtual link through which the flow passes in the first layer network;
Changing a virtual link corresponding to a flow set in the network of the first layer to a set normal link;
After all the virtual links through which the added flow passes are changed to normal links that have been set, the added flow is set in the second layer network; and
A multilayer control method comprising:
(Appendix 20)
A program for causing a computer to function as a device for controlling a multi-layer network in which a flow set in a first layer network is used as a link of a second layer network,
When creating topology information of a user-accessible network information database, virtual link information corresponding to flow information not set in the first layer network is created and added to the user-oriented network information database. Steps,
When the flow information of the network information database for users is added, determining whether the added flow passes through a virtual link;
Setting a flow corresponding to a virtual link through which the flow passes in the first layer network;
Changing a virtual link corresponding to a flow set in the network of the first layer to a set normal link;
After all the virtual links through which the added flow passes are changed to normal links that have been set, the added flow is set in the second layer network; and
A program that causes the computer to operate.

The present invention can be applied to, for example, a service in which a carrier quickly provides a virtual network to a user on demand. Specifically, the present invention can be applied to a VPN service that connects user base networks, a network control portion of a data center and a user base, or a cloud service that connects data centers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Multilayer control apparatus 20 User request part 31 Lower layer network 32 Upper layer network 33 1st layer network 34 2nd layer network 35 3rd layer network 40 Layer boundary 50 Multilayer control apparatus 101 Network database 102 for users Upper layer network database 103 Lower layer network database 104 Hierarchy control unit 105 Upper layer control unit 106 Lower layer control unit 201 Management unit 202 External database access unit 203 Virtual network information creation unit 204 Layer boundary information management unit 205 Inter-database information correspondence management unit 206 Route calculation / Management unit 5101 First hierarchical control unit 5102 Second hierarchical control unit 5201 First user network database 5202 Second user Network database 5301 for the user 1st layer network database 5302 2nd layer network database 5303 3rd layer network database 5401 1st layer control unit 5402 2nd layer control unit 5403 3rd layer control units L001, L002 Upper layer links L601 to L603 Lower layer links L901 to L903 Virtual link F701 Requested flow F702 Upper layer flows F703 and F704 Flows in which lower layers are set

Claims

An apparatus for controlling a multi-layer network composed of a multi-layer network,
Virtual link generation means for generating a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network;
When at least one virtual link is included in a given route in the upper layer network, control means for setting a lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link in the lower layer network;
A multilayer network control apparatus comprising:
The multi-layer network control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual link generation unit generates the virtual link by route calculation between nodes in the lower layer network.
3. The multilayer network control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the virtual link generation unit registers metric information for the route calculation as additional information of the virtual link.
The virtual link generation unit generates the virtual link so as to connect a plurality of nodes included in the upper layer network in a desired pattern. Multi-layer network control device.
5. The multilayer network control according to claim 1, wherein the given route is selected by a user request unit based on a virtual link generated by the virtual link generation unit. apparatus.
A method for controlling a multi-layer network consisting of a multi-layer network,
The virtual link generation means generates a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network,
When the control unit includes at least one virtual link in the given route in the upper layer network, the lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link is set in the lower layer network.
A multilayer network control method characterized by the above.
The multi-layer network control method according to claim 6, wherein the virtual link generation means generates the virtual link by calculating a route between nodes in the lower layer network.
The multi-layer network control method according to claim 7, wherein the virtual link generation unit registers metric information for the route calculation as additional information of the virtual link.
9. The multilayer network control method according to claim 6, wherein the given route is selected by a user request unit based on a virtual link generated by the virtual link generation unit. .
A program for causing a computer to function as a device for controlling a multi-layer network composed of a multi-layer network,
A virtual link generation function for generating a virtual link in the upper layer network based on the topology information of the lower layer network;
When at least one virtual link is included in a given route in the upper layer network, a control function for setting a lower layer route corresponding to the virtual link in the lower layer network;
Is implemented on the computer.